DIY Home Theater Screen11:21:10 PM

Somebody named Cash posted a comment asking about my DIY HT Screen.  Here is what I did:

1. Built a 2"x4" frame the size of my screen.  It is a simple rectangle with a supporting member in the middle.  I used some screws and metal "fasteners" to make all of the right angles.
2. A friend came over and helped me mount it to the wall.  I did this by securing a 2"x4" in to studs in the wall.  I then put small blocks screwed to the back of my frame.  The small blocks were then set on top of the 2"x4" on the wall and shimmed until the frame was level on the wall.  I also put some blocks of wood in the bottom corners to support the bottom.
3. Once the frame was level and where I wanted it on the wall I screwed it in to the 2"x4" that was already attached to the wall.
4. I then put a piece of hardboard (cut by Home Depot) on top of the frame.  This is essentially pegboard without the holes.  It is smooth enough and works pretty well.  I screwed this around the edges.
5. I then primed and painted the hardboard screen.  2 coats of primer and 2 coats of matte "Misty Evening."  This is a color suggested by avsforum.com.  I used a small can of "Evermore Interior Latex Flat" paint.  The label has code "30BG 64/036" next to the Misty Evening name, if that helps.  This was all applied with a very fine roller and let dry.
6. I then built a mitered frame out of good quality (no warping) 1"x4"s.  We wrapped these in black material  and stapled it on the back.  I used black felt, but I think that black velvet would be better if you can find a cheap source.  I then used finish nails to secure this around the edge of the screen and hide all of the screw heads.  I punched the nails in and they are now hidden behind the fabric.

The result is probably overbuilt and not as great as a grayhawk screen, but the price can't be beat and it looks pretty darn professional.  The black border really helps.

Let me know if you have any questions or want any pictures!  I don't want to take it apart or anything :)

Back from NZ9:32:05 PM

I'm back home and doing laundary and catching up on the Sopranos.  Here is another pano:

Image near Omapera, NZ, consisting of a 3 by 3 image stitch. Copyright © 2004, Joe Beda.  All Rights Reserved.

I'm going to try to get together a bunch of photos to get printed as West Coast Imaging is having a special on smaller prints that ends April 7th.  They have a cool printer that uses LEDs to light up regular old photo paper that is developed in traditional chemistry.  The whole thing is color profile savvy so you can be sure that you'll at least get within spitting distance of good color.  I've done prints with them before and been happy with the results.